[RideFaster]

Okay, this is my first time stepping into this forum, so go easy on me. I want to try out trials riding (doing it on a 42lb 7 inch squish just isn't working) and was considering buying a kids bike and just using the frame to build an inexpensive starter trials bike. Bad idea?

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22135

I'll be working at a bike shop this year, so I'll get good discounts on lots of stuff...but it only sells Trek, Specialized, Haro and Mongoose. I looked at Specialized P. bikes, and I'll consider them.

I'm just curious and bored, but I want to hear your opinions.
-Thanks

 

[InnovateorDie]

Well, the Hotrock is a kids bike, so the frame probably isn't too strong and those chainstays look pretty thin. If I were you, I would get a bike that's built for trials, not modify a kids bike.

But I have no experience in trials bikes, so I may not know what I'm talking about.

 

[BikeSATORI]

you can find trials bikes for cheap in classifieds and occasionally ebay... I ebayed my Echo for way cheap... too cheap haha....

kid's bike + other components probably wouldn't save you much cash... basically a recipe for disaster... checkity check yo'self before you wreckity wreck yo'self....

you want short chainstays and low gearing...

 

[Ojai Bicyclist]

Very very bad idea. Get a Monty complete or something like that for cheap.

 

[RideFaster]

Okay. Thanks to all who replied. For some reason, I was under the impression that a lot of people did this...but I guess not. I won't be buying a new bike anytime soon though as I still have not paid off the last one. :nonod:

 

[turrick]

Get a specialized p-bike, haro thread or somthing close. Start riding trials on anything. As you progress you can evolve into a special trials bike if you want.
I have a giant stp thats been great for learning trials. I have been looking at special trials bikes, but I have been able to throw a lot of trials into my street riding with my stp.
Just take the trials ideas and apply to any bike you have.

 

[literocola]

Depends on how bad you want to ride trials. Trials takes a very long time to learn, even the most fundamental moves take years to master.

You can learn trials on say a DJ bike, but you wont get into any serious trial moves. Specially if you want to play on rocks and what not. I picked up trials a few years ago and learned on a small Specialized HardRock Comp. Though, after I picked up the fundamental moves, like rear wheel hopping, pedal kicking, that frame couldnt do much more than that.

I would recomend that you get a trial bike. There are two diffrent styles Mod and Stock. Mod's look like crazy BMX bikes that you put togehter in your garage with spare bike parts, and typically run a 19" rim. Stock is a typical 26" bike.

Mod From Koxx Bikes:

Stock From Koxx:

Other trial companies: Monty and Koxx are the most expensive bikes on the market.
https://www.monty.es
https://www.koxx.fr
Echo, Zoo, and Czar are HIGH quality, and cheaper than Koxx or Monty. I stand by Echo and all the Deng bike companies.
https://www.echobike.com/index1.htm
https://www.zoobike.com/page/home.html
https://www.btbike.com/
Here is your cheapest route. I warn you that these bikes are crap, and you will replace everything on this bike. But many trials riders have these bikes to thank them for getting them into trials:
https://www.myspace.com/trialsbicycles

Your bike shop probley dosent carry trials, and I would take a chance to say that whoever is trying to sell you a bike dosent have a clue about trials either. Your best bet is to talk to Mean Todd at Webcyclery or Tim at Trialsin.
https://www.webcyclery.com
https://www.trialsin.com

 

[bidaci]

Hey RideFaster,

Most of these responses basically are saying not to spend the money on a non trials specific frame to do trials. What nobody is really saying is that you can learn basic trials moves with any bike that you already have. So save your money, practice your moves on what you have or even on an old hardtail that you could pick up cheap. Then when the time is right go after the real thing. Observedtrials.net is a great place to find out what you need to on trials riding. In reading yur profile I see you ride Lynn so you are in MA. There is supposed to be a Trials event this summer in Rockport, MA as well.

OTN DAyz

I ride Lynn on occasion myself. Usually stick to HP. If you ride with Diesel, you probably have most of the skills needed to progress quickly.

 

[RideFaster]

Hey RideFaster,

Most of these responses basically are saying not to spend the money on a non trials specific frame to do trials. What nobody is really saying is that you can learn basic trials moves with any bike that you already have. So save your money, practice your moves on what you have or even on an old hardtail that you could pick up cheap. Then when the time is right go after the real thing. Observedtrials.net is a great place to find out what you need to on trials riding. In reading yur profile I see you ride Lynn so you are in MA. There is supposed to be a Trials event this summer in Rockport, MA as well.

OTN DAyz

I ride Lynn on occasion myself. Usually stick to HP. If you ride with Diesel, you probably have most of the skills needed to progress quickly.

Thank you very much! Great advice. BTW, I ride Harold Parker every Thursday night with a Nemba group at Jenkins lot. PM me if you want to ride some time.
-And...this may sound stupid, but how do you put a live link in a reply without the www.......com and have just one word be a live link like you did w/ the trials site?
-Thanks again!

 

[literocola]

I'm stoked for OTN days, I missed last years here in Colorado, but this year its on.

Observedtrials.net

Great site to get the ball rolling. There are some amazing riders on there, and people all over the world that are typically always down to set up a session, since trials is such a small community.

And bikes are always going up for sale on OTN, cheap good bikes.

Like Bid said, you can practice the basic moves on your bike that you have now. Once you get your balance dialed, and pedal sequences down, thats when you make the desicion to either shell out the 1500 for a badass trials rig or buy one used for under 1k.

 

[bidaci]

Thank you very much! Great advice. BTW, I ride Harold Parker every Thursday night with a Nemba group at Jenkins lot. PM me if you want to ride some time.

Once it warms up and it stays lighter a bit later I will try to meet up with the Thursday NEMBA ride. I'll bring my Zoo stock Trials bike so you can give it a try. Trials bikes ride a lot different then most MTB's

-And...this may sound stupid, but how do you put a live link in a reply without the www.......com and have just one word be a live link like you did w/ the trials site?
-Thanks again!

Highlight the word you want to attach the link to. Click the

that is above and enter the URL there,